If you’ve decided to brave the crowds (and sometimes icy cold weather) of Black Friday, you know that having an RV can be a huge advantage. While some shoppers are sleeping on hard sidewalks, you can be warm and comfortable in your camper — that is until you have to hit the store at 6:00 am! So before you head out to set up camp on Thanksgiving night, read over these five tips for an effective and satisfying holiday shopping haul.

1. Check with the store first

Many stores or city ordinances do not permit camping in parking lots. Please check first with your chosen store to see if they allow camping in their parking lots or in nearby areas. Stores like Camping World, Walmart and Cracker Barrel already have a camping policy in effect for most of their locations.

2. Have a game plan

Black Friday traffic and crowds can turn anyone into the Grinch. Hit your chosen stores with a plan for maximum efficiency. Maybe get to the stores that are open the earliest or the latest? Maybe visit the stores that are less popular or are more out of the way? Decide which doorbuster deals you really want to invest time and energy into.

3. Use your RV as a camper and a present storage room

Rather than hauling gifts from store to store, use your RV as a place to store gifts you’ve already purchased. Then you can walk from store to store with unencumbered hands.

4. Take food, coffee (and nap) breaks

Your RV is the perfect place to take a coffee, breakfast or lunch break during your shopping spree. You also have a ready made bed for those mid-morning naps.

5. Don’t be one of “those people.”

Using your RV as your Black Friday little helper is smart, but it’s not smart to leave your trash or waste behind. Keep the parking lot or shopping area clean for other customers and don’t use your generator at 4:00 am. In addition, be sure to park in the outskirts of a shopping center and leave the parking spots near the store for customers who need them.